Ideas for Garage Remodeling

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The garage is often the forgotten space in a home, doomed to a lifetime of collecting junk and housing clutter. If you need additional living space in your home but don't want to add on to the actual structure of your home, consider remodeling your garage into living space. You don't have to remodel the whole garage; if you have a two-car garage, for example, and only use one side, consider converting the other half to increase your home's living space, and potentially increasing home value.

Living Space

Convert your garage into a master or guest room to increase the living space in your home and give a family member her own personal space. As noted at Home Addition Plus, be sure to consider all local building laws that may restrict garage conversions. If you decide to install a bathroom, consult with a general contractor to discuss plumbing issues and any other technical details. You might also need to cut new windows into the walls and convert the garage doors into walls for improved appearance and temperature control. For a large-scale project, convert a two-car garage into a family room and office on one half and a bedroom and laundry room on the other half.

Office Space

For a remodeling project that does not require such strict and detailed planning, consider an office conversion. This project is ideal if you only want to remodel part of your garage and keep the rest for storage. Use synthetic wood flooring, wooden ceiling beams and neutral paint to brighten your office and provide a warm tone. Install a window in the office for natural lighting, and accentuate the space with plants and bookshelves, as pictured at Stonebrink online.

Roof Extension

If you want to utilize your garage space but can't afford to lose storage and parking space, consider extending the roof and creating a garage loft. As noted at Service Magic, "Raising the roof and adding a room for work space above your existing garage can give you additional space, not to mention increase the value of a home, all without changing the floor plan or interrupting your family flow during construction." An over-the-garage room addition is ideal if you have an attached garage with a high, vaulted ceiling and plenty of room between roof rafters.

About the Author

Nicole Crawford is a NASM-certified personal trainer, doula and pre/post-natal fitness specialist. She is studying to be a nutrition coach and RYT 200 yoga teacher. Nicole contributes regularly at Breaking Muscle and has also written for "Paleo Magazine," The Bump and Fit Bottomed Mamas.